HOW TO GET THERE: Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 18 (New Paltz). After paying the toll, turn left onto NY 299 and continue west through the Village of New Paltz. When you cross the bridge over the Wallkill River at the west end of the village, continue ahead on NY 299 (do not turn right towards the Mohonk Mountain House). In another 5.6 miles (from the Wallkill River bridge), NY 299 ends at a T-intersection with US 44/NY 55. Turn right and follow Route 44/55 as it negotiates a very sharp hairpin turn and climbs to pass under the Trapps Bridge (a steel overpass). Continue for another 3.0 miles to the entrance to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, on the left. A $6 per-person trail fee is charged when cross-country skiing is available; at other times, an $8 parking fee is charged. Continue uphill for 0.4 mile to the parking area at Lake Minnewaska. For information on snow conditions, call (845) 255-0752

From the end of the parking area, descend on the red-blazed Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road that encircles Lake Minnewaska. This descent is rather steep for cross-country skiing, but it is not typical of the grades you’ll encounter the rest of the way. Soon, you’ll reach a junction with the green-blazed Upper Awosting Carriage Road (a swimming area is on the left, and restrooms are on the right). Bear left, continuing to follow the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, which now begins to climb. About 0.4 mile from the start, you’ll reach a junction with the blue-blazed Castle Point Carriage Road.

Turn right and follow the Castle Point Carriage Road, which continues to climb gradually, passing an open area with views of the Catskills to the north. Beyond a side trail on the left, views appear over the Palmaghatt Ravine. Soon, you’ll reach Kempton Ledge, with views across the ravine and over the Wallkill Valley beyond.

The carriage road continues generally uphill, with some short descents and one twisting curve. About two miles from the start, you’ll pass under a power line. A short distance beyond, you’ll reach a series of open ledges that afford broad views over Palmaghatt Ravine, with the rocky face of Gertrude’s Nose – the tip of the escarpment across the ravine – clearly visible.

After some more twists and turns, the carriage road comes out at Castle Point (elevation 2,200 feet), a steep promontory with panoramic views. Lake Awosting is below to the west, and Sam’s Point may be seen to the southwest (near the communications towers visible in the distance). This is a good place to take a break.

The carriage road, now joined by the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, turns right and begins a steady descent, immediately passing the trailhead of the Blueberry Run Trail. In the next three-quarters of a mile, the carriage road makes several sharp turns (skiers should exercise care). At a hairpin turn to the left, the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail begins on the right. After passing under the dramatic ledges of the overhanging Battlement Terrace, the Castle Point Carriage Road arrives at a junction with the Hamilton Point Carriage Road. Bear right, continuing to follow the Castle Point Carriage Road.

Soon, the Wolf Jaw Trail leaves to the left and, a short distance beyond, you’ll reach a junction with the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. Continue straight ahead, now following black blazes. You’ll soon come to a viewpoint over Lake Awosting on the left.

At the next junction, the black blazes turn left, but you should continue straight ahead, now following the green blazes of the Upper Awosting Carriage Road. As the carriage road bends to the right ahead, you’ll see the impressive cliffs of Lichtfield Ledge. The carriage road soon begins to follow along the base of these cliffs.

After crossing the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail near the end of the cliffs, the carriage road crosses the power line and then the blue-blazed Blueberry Run Trail. A little over a mile from the power line, you’ll reach an open area known as the Orchard. Then, after a short, gentle climb, you’ll pass a north-facing viewpoint on the left, with the Catskill Mountains visible in the distance. Just beyond, the Upper Awosting Carriage Road ends at the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road. Turn sharply left and follow the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road uphill, back to the parking area where the hike began.

"Hiking" is provided by Daniel Chazin of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. The Trail Conference is a volunteer organization that builds and maintains over 1,850 miles of hiking trails and publishes a library of hiking maps and books. The Trail Conference’s office is at 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah; (201) 512-9348; nynjtc.org; HikeoftheWeek@aol.com.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 18 (New Paltz). After paying the toll, turn left onto NY 299 and continue west through the Village of New Paltz. When you cross the bridge over the Wallkill River at the west end of the village, continue ahead on NY 299 (do not turn right towards the Mohonk Mountain House). In another 5.6 miles (from the Wallkill River bridge), NY 299 ends at a T-intersection with US 44/NY 55. Turn right and follow Route 44/55 as it negotiates a very sharp hairpin turn and climbs to pass under the Trapps Bridge (a steel overpass). Continue for another 3.0 miles to the entrance to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, on the left. A $6 per-person trail fee is charged when cross-country skiing is available; at other times, an $8 parking fee is charged. Continue uphill for 0.4 mile to the parking area at Lake Minnewaska. For information on snow conditions, call (845) 255-0752

From the end of the parking area, descend on the red-blazed Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road that encircles Lake Minnewaska. This descent is rather steep for cross-country skiing, but it is not typical of the grades you’ll encounter the rest of the way. Soon, you’ll reach a junction with the green-blazed Upper Awosting Carriage Road (a swimming area is on the left, and restrooms are on the right). Bear left, continuing to follow the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, which now begins to climb. About 0.4 mile from the start, you’ll reach a junction with the blue-blazed Castle Point Carriage Road.

Turn right and follow the Castle Point Carriage Road, which continues to climb gradually, passing an open area with views of the Catskills to the north. Beyond a side trail on the left, views appear over the Palmaghatt Ravine. Soon, you’ll reach Kempton Ledge, with views across the ravine and over the Wallkill Valley beyond.

The carriage road continues generally uphill, with some short descents and one twisting curve. About two miles from the start, you’ll pass under a power line. A short distance beyond, you’ll reach a series of open ledges that afford broad views over Palmaghatt Ravine, with the rocky face of Gertrude’s Nose – the tip of the escarpment across the ravine – clearly visible.

After some more twists and turns, the carriage road comes out at Castle Point (elevation 2,200 feet), a steep promontory with panoramic views. Lake Awosting is below to the west, and Sam’s Point may be seen to the southwest (near the communications towers visible in the distance). This is a good place to take a break.

The carriage road, now joined by the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, turns right and begins a steady descent, immediately passing the trailhead of the Blueberry Run Trail. In the next three-quarters of a mile, the carriage road makes several sharp turns (skiers should exercise care). At a hairpin turn to the left, the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail begins on the right. After passing under the dramatic ledges of the overhanging Battlement Terrace, the Castle Point Carriage Road arrives at a junction with the Hamilton Point Carriage Road. Bear right, continuing to follow the Castle Point Carriage Road.

Soon, the Wolf Jaw Trail leaves to the left and, a short distance beyond, you’ll reach a junction with the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. Continue straight ahead, now following black blazes. You’ll soon come to a viewpoint over Lake Awosting on the left.

At the next junction, the black blazes turn left, but you should continue straight ahead, now following the green blazes of the Upper Awosting Carriage Road. As the carriage road bends to the right ahead, you’ll see the impressive cliffs of Lichtfield Ledge. The carriage road soon begins to follow along the base of these cliffs.

After crossing the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail near the end of the cliffs, the carriage road crosses the power line and then the blue-blazed Blueberry Run Trail. A little over a mile from the power line, you’ll reach an open area known as the Orchard. Then, after a short, gentle climb, you’ll pass a north-facing viewpoint on the left, with the Catskill Mountains visible in the distance. Just beyond, the Upper Awosting Carriage Road ends at the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road. Turn sharply left and follow the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road uphill, back to the parking area where the hike began.

"Hiking" is provided by Daniel Chazin of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. The Trail Conference is a volunteer organization that builds and maintains over 1,850 miles of hiking trails and publishes a library of hiking maps and books. The Trail Conference’s office is at 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah; (201) 512-9348; nynjtc.org; HikeoftheWeek@aol.com.